COLLINS, Philip (c. 1809-1859) and Nancy (c. 1809-1882)

Among the earliest Sabbatarian Adventists in the country, Philip and Nancy Collins (née Biss), of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, were persuaded to keep the Sabbath by reading T. M. Preble's tract in early 1845. Their acquaintance with James White can be traced back to 1846. The dramatic healing of their son, Gilbert N. Collins, in 1849 after prayer and anointing by Ellen and James White deepened the ties between the two families. After the death of Philip Collins in 1859, Ellen White noted in her diary, “His loss is deeply felt, not only by his family, but by all the church.”1EGWLM 811.1

See: Obituary: “Philip Collins,” Review, June 23, 1859, p. 39; obituary: “Gilbert N. Collins,” Review, June 29, 1905, p. 23; obituary: “Nancy Collins,” Review, June 13, 1882, p. 382; obituary: “Rachel C. Ashley,” Atlantic Union Gleaner, Feb. 18, 1903, p. 90; Volume II—Marriages, in Vital Records of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850 (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1930), pp. 63, 121; T. M. Preble, A Tract, Showing That the Seventh Day Should Be Observed as the Sabbath, Instead of the First Day “According to the Commandment” (Nashua, N.H.: Murray and Kimball, 1845); James White to “Brother Collins,” Aug. 26, 1846; Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], pp. 108, 109; Ms 7, 1859 (Sept. 16 entry).1EGWLM 811.2